Isaiah 3
Judah’s Leaders Judged
1Note this: The Lord God of Armies is about to remove from Jerusalem and from Judah every kind of security: the entire supply of bread and water,23heroes and warriors, judges and prophets, fortune-tellers and elders,4
5commanders of fifty and dignitaries, counselors, cunning magicians, and necromancers.6
7“I will make youths their leaders, and unstable rulers will govern them.”8
9The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will act arrogantly toward the old, and the worthless toward the honorable.10
11A man will even seize his brother in his father’s house, saying, “You have a cloak — you be our leader! This heap of rubble will be under your control.”12
13On that day he will cry out, saying, “I’m not a healer. I don’t even have food or clothing in my house. Don’t make me the leader of the people!”14
15For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen because they have spoken and acted against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.16
17The look on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom, they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster on themselves.18
19Tell the righteous that it will go well for them, for they will eat the fruit of their labor.20
21Woe to the wicked — it will go badly for them, for what they have done will be done to them.22
23Youths oppress my people, and women rule over them. My people, your leaders mislead you; they confuse the direction of your paths.24
25The Lord rises to argue the case and stands to judge the people.26
27The Lord brings this charge against the elders and leaders of his people: “You have devastated the vineyard. The plunder from the poor is in your houses.28
29Why do you crush my people and grind the faces of the poor?” This is the declaration of the Lord God of Armies.30
Jerusalem’s Women Judged
31The Lord also says: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, walking with heads held high and seductive eyes, prancing along, jingling their ankle bracelets,3233the Lord will put scabs on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will shave their foreheads bare.34
35On that day the Lord will strip their finery: ankle bracelets, headbands, crescents,3637pendants, bracelets, veils,3839headdresses, ankle jewelry, sashes, perfume bottles, amulets,4041signet rings, nose rings,4243festive robes, capes, cloaks, purses,4445garments, linen clothes, turbans, and shawls.46
47Instead of perfume there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of beautifully styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothes, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.48
49Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle.50
51Then her gates will lament and mourn; deserted, she will sit on the ground.52